According to Fox Sports, the Philadelphia Phillies have signed free agent pinch hitter and former Florida Marlin Ross Gload, 34, to a 2 year deal.  The signing of Gload indicates that Matt Stairs will not be back in the pinch hitter role for the Phillies in 2010.  The Marlins and the Braves expressed interest in Gload during the off season.

Gload was 21-for-66 (.318) as a pinch-hitter and batting .261-.329-.400 in 259 plate appearances. Terms of the deal were not available.